New strategy if drones not stopped: Govt

ISLAMABAD - Pakistan has conveyed to the United States that it will not accept the breach of its sovereignty by drone attacks and the entire nation holds view that these attacks can jeopardise the bilateral ties between Pakistan and the US. Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani informed the federal cabinet that US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton had been conveyed that drone attacks could jeopardise the bilateral relations, said Minister for Information Firdous Ashiq Awan while addressing a press conference after the cabinet meeting chaired by the prime minister. Pakistan has conveyed its stance over drone attacks. Let see their stance, she said while responding to a question, adding Hillary Clinton would convey our message to the US administration. In case of unsatisfactory response from the US, the minister said, Pakistan would evolve new strategy keeping in mind how could it proceed further to achieve its objectives while avoiding isolation from the international community. To a question about the Abbottabad incident, she said the incumbent government was committed to constitute an independent commission on Abbottabad incident, while the commission head and its members were yet to be finalised. It is our commitment to constitute an independent commission with the consensus of all so that no body could raise finger after the composition of commission, said the minister, adding the government was consulting all the stakeholders to form an independent commission to probe into the Abbottabad incident. She said the opposition leader had proposed names of some individuals and in this regard the prime minister was consulting all the stakeholders. To another question about PNS Mehran report, the information minister said that preliminary investigation report would be presented to the prime minister in 48 hours. She said Interior Minister Rehman Malik would give further details in this regard. The minister said this report would include the internal report of Pakistan Navy and the joint investigation conducted by the armed forces coupled with a feedback by all the intelligence agencies. In the cabinet meeting, the prime minister paid rich tribute on behalf of the cabinet to those who sacrificed their lives during the terrorist attack at the Mehran Naval Base. As a nation, he said, we are proud of the courage and valour with which the Jawans of Navy, Rangers and police tried to defend the strategic naval installations and properties. The prime minister said during his visit to the hospital that he was touched to see the spirit of the Jawans who wished embracing shahadat. To another question about the absence of defence minister in DCC, she said the prime minister had chaired the meeting and absence of one person could not make much difference. The captain was present in the meeting and if one player was not there it doesnt make any difference, she said, adding the government was serious on this matter and that was why the DCC was organised. Earlier, in his opening remarks, the prime minister said the challenges confronting the country required greater unity among the people and leaders across the political divide. The prime minister informed the cabinet about his visit to China which he termed as very important as it coincided with the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries. He said besides talks in defence, trade and energy, the Chinese leadership reiterated its undiluted, unequivocal and principled support to Pakistans stance and strategy in the fight against terrorism. The prime minister stated the Chinese leadership apprised him that even without Pakistans asking, the Chinese Vice Premier and State Counsellor for Foreign Affairs, who attended the recent China-US Strategic and Economic Dialogue in Washington DC, had urged the US to respect Pakistans sovereignty and territorial integrity to recognise Pakistans sacrifices in the war against terror; and to help Pakistan in its fight against terrorism and extremism, and give it complete support. The cabinet reviewed the decisions pertaining to the ministries of food and agriculture, foreign affairs and housing and works division. The cabinet complimented the food and agriculture minister for implementing 100 per cent decision pertaining to his ministry. The decisions taken by the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the cabinet in its meeting held on May 7, 2011, were also approved. A detailed presentation was given to the cabinet by the ministry of finance on Consumer Price Index (CPI) in the country to oversee and discuss the trend of prices of essential commodities. The secretary finance informed the cabinet that nominal decline in commodity prices had been witnessed. International prices of oil have become stagnant and likely to decline in near future which would ease pressure on our economy. A report was submitted before the cabinet by the State Bank of Pakistan as convener of the committee to fix responsibility on the persons who caused losses to Industrial Development Bank of Pakistan (IDBP) because of imprudent lending and writing-off loans during 1971 to 2009. The focus of the report was mainly on the write-offs under various categories including incentives and settlement schemes introduced by the State Bank of Pakistan and the federal government from time to time some of which were initiated for the revival of sick industries. The committee identified and informed the cabinet of the various reasons and problems resulting into bad loans and substantial write-offs of the sample cases. The cabinet was informed that the restructuring decision of IDBP was taken in 2003, although SBP had recommended its liquidation but no decision had been taken so far. After due deliberation and discussion the cabinet decided to start the process of the winding up the Industrial Development Bank of Pakistan (IDBP). The cabinet approved in principle to start negotiations between the governments of Pakistan and South Africa on the agreement for establishment of Joint Commission. The cabinet approved in principle to start negotiations between the governments of Pakistan and Afghanistan on an agreement on Mutual Legal Assistance in criminal matters. The cabinet approved in principle to start negotiations for visa abolition agreement between the governments of Pakistan and Jordan for diplomatic and official passports holders. The negotiations on the agreement on transfer of offenders between Pakistan and Uzbekistan were also approved. The cabinet ratified MoU between the governments of Pakistan and Turkey in the field of maritime cooperation signed during the prime ministers visit to Turkey. The cabinet approved to initiate negotiations on agreement on promotion and protection of investment with Hungary. OUR MONITORING DESK ADDS: Interior Minister Rehman Malik said that Pakistan had become the first enemy of al-Qaeda leaving the US behind on second number after Osama bin Ladens killing in Abbottabad early this month. APP ADDS: Minister for Information and Broadcasting Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan said on Friday that law and order was the biggest challenge which ought to be tackled with the coordinated efforts of all institutions and stakeholders. Talking to a private news channel, she said international community and all stakeholders including the Pakistani people wanted to discuss these issues in a collective manner. Prime Minister Gilani will soon call a joint meeting of all stakeholders, she added. She said the heads of the provincial governments and security chiefs would be invited to explain the challenges being faced by the country. In the joint meeting, they would hold discussion regarding their institutional capacity and strength, she added.